Fabinho’s stunning wife Rebeca Tavares reveals Ronaldinho inspired her to play football but she retired when husband joined Liverpool

Joe Brophy

23 Aug 2019, 9:25

Updated: 23 Aug 2019, 9:44

FABINHO'S wife Rebeca Tavares has opened up on her own football career by revealing that Brazil icon Ronaldinho inspired her to play.

The 25-year-old has been a regular fixture at Anfield following her husband's move to Liverpool last summer, which also led to her own retirement from the game.

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Fabinho's wife has been a regular visitor at Liverpool matches since her husband's move from MonacoCredit: Instagram @rebecas.tavares

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Rebeca Tavares had a football career of her own but retired last summerCredit: Instagram @rebecas.tavares

The stunning Brazilian, who was in the stands in Madrid to watch the Reds win the Champions League in May, moved to Spain from Brazil when she was just six.

And while Tavares has become well known for supporting midfielder Fabinho, she enjoyed a career on the pitch of her own, which includes spending time with Monaco's women side before deciding to hang up her boots.

She told HerFootballHub: “My family are a typical Brazilian family, we always watched football and I’ve loved football since I was a kid.

“I remember one moment in particular that made me start watching and also playing football. It was when Ronaldinho started playing in Europe. His style captivated me.”

One moment in particular that made me start playing football. It was when Ronaldinho started playing in Europe. His style captivated me.

Tavares was told "football isn't for women" when she first started playing, but despite her retirement, she revealed she is pleased to see the forward steps the game has taken.

She added: "Now when a young girl says that she wants to be a football player, people are more supportive than before and that’s a big step forward.

"I think that the strongest European teams are in France. However, women in Spain and England are getting more and more involved with football and that is good for the sport.

"Now is the time for young girls to continue the legacy, to achieve big and develop women’s football. For women, football has to be more than just a ‘men’s sport’."